It Matters Much

"What is your plea — guilty or not guilty?" said the court. "Guilty," said the defendant. "Very well, in consideration of your candor and your circumstances, as related by your attorney, the court is disposed to overlook in some measure the enormity of your offense, and leave the moral phases of it to the agitators and reformers of the day. Believing that your experiences have been a lesson to you, and that the court will not again have occasion to pronounce punishment upon you, but that the severity of this example [I began to wince] will always be before you, you are hereby sentenced to pay a fine of six cents I" The rest of the cases went in like manner. Salt Lake City, Utah, IT MATTERS MUCH. It matters little where I was born, Or if my parents were rich or poor; Whether they shrank from the cold world's scorn, Or walked in the pride of wealth secure; But whether I live an honest man. And hold my integrity firm in my clutch, I tell you, my brothers, as plain as I can, It matters much! It matters little how long I stay In a world of sorrow, sin and care; Whether in youth I am called away, Or live till my bones and pate are bare; But whetLer I do the best I can To soften the weight of adversity's touch, On the faded cheek of my fellowman. It matters much! It matters little where be my grave, Or on the land or on the sea. By purling brook or 'neath stormy wave. It matters little or naught to me; But whether the Angel of Death comes down, And marks my brow with his loving touch. As one that shall wear the victor's crown. It matters much! —From the Swedish.